Cats

Cats is a musical by Andrew Lloyd-Webber (1948-)[1].

Original text

Based based on the 1939 poetry collection Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Eliot (1888-1965)[2], which Lloyd Webber had begun setting to music in 1977. First performed as a song cycle in 1980, but then producer Cameron Mackintosh (1946-)[3] had it turned into a complete musical with the help of the director Trevor Nunn (1940-)[4] and the choreographer Gillian Lynne (1926-2018)[5]. It opened to at the New London Theatre in the West End in 1981 and then at the Winter Garden Theatre on Broadway in 1982.

South African productions

2001: First South African production, produced by Pieter Toerien and ArtsCape opening in December, directed and choreography recreated Jo-Anne Robinson. The cast: Anton Luitingh, Gareth Williams, Robin van Wyk, Marcus Desando, Jo Galloway, Fem Belling, Marize Nel, with Slindile Nodangala as Grizabella the Glamour Cat.

2002: The production moved to the State Theatre in Pretoria in February for a 16-week run.

2025-26: Performed at Artscape in Cape Town, produced by Pieter Toerien and GWB Entertainment, by arrangement with The Really Useful Group and in association with Cape Town Opera. Utilizing the original designs by John Napier, choreography by the late Gillian Lynne and direction by Trevor Nunn, the production was locally directed by  Opened on 10 December 2025 and played till 11 January 2026. Booking is now open at Webtickets and through the Artscape Box Office at 021 4217695. Advance booking is strongly advised as performances are expected to sell out quickly.

When: 10 December 2025 – 11 January 2026 Where: Artscape Theatre Centre, D.F. Malan St, Foreshore, Cape TownThe South African cast included Cindy Ann Abrahams as Grizabella, King B as Old Deuteronomy, Dylan Janse van Rensburg as Rum Tum Tugger and Che-jean Jupp as Munkustrap, Stephan Van Der Walt as Admetus / Macavity, Sibusiso Mxosana as Alonzo, Sipesihle Ngamlana as Bill Bailey, Tatum Coleman asBombalurina, Tshepo Ncokoane as Bustopher Jones / Gus, Michael Fullard as Carbuckety, Hannah Marshall as Cassandra, Darren Rockman as Coricopat, Brittane van Loggerenberg asDemeter, Morgan Marshall as Electra, Harry Smallman as George, Noa Duckitt as Jellylorum, Scarlett Pay as Jemima, Zoe Mclaughlin as Jennyanydots, Austin Tshikosi as Mungojerrie, Jordan Roelfze as Quaxo / Mr Mistoffelees, Tannah Levick as Rumpleteazer, Logan Timbre asSkimbleshanks, Tania Mteto as Tantomile and Cassiel Eatock-Winnik as Victoria, with Ryan Flynn, Jackie Lulu, Marco Titus and Phoebe Charles as swings.

Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cats_(musical)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T._S._Eliot

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Lloyd_Webber

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cameron_Mackintosh

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gillian_Lynne

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trevor_Nunn

https://whatsonincapetown.com/cats-musical-cape-town/

'Business Day', 11 December 2001.

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